Harrison Township to hire 3 new firefighters with grant funds

The Harrison Township Fire District is seeking to fill three part-time firefighter positions. The district is hiring new staff members to stay in compliance with its Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant, which is given out by the federal government to help strengthen municipal fire departments.

“We’ve had people leave, so it’s time to get back up to 16,” said Fire Commissioner Mike Koestler.

Although the position is only a part-time job, the district welcomes firefighters who are already volunteering for or employed by other departments.

“If you’re a fully qualified firefighter and you’re volunteering or working somewhere else it could be a great supplement to your current position,” Koestler said.

The positions are not the result of any firing or layoffs, according to Koestler.

“They’ve been working here for years and they’re moving on,” he said of the departing firefighters.

He added that the district had already received applications, although he did not know how many people had applied for the job.

The SAFER Grant provides funding to fire departments over a five-year period, starting with one lump sum the first year and contributing decreasing amounts over the following four years. Among the requirements for the grant is a quota of 16 staff members.

The firefighter position requires a minimum of 18 hours of availability per week. Starting pay is $14 an hour. A full job description and qualification details are available with the application packet, which can be picked up at the Harrison Township Municipal Building Clerk’s Office, 114 Bridgeton Pike, Mullica Hill.